I want to apply to the School of Music, but.....

<p>I am currently a senior in high school. I have not started college applications at all (i JUST started filling out the basic info of the common app), but a friend of mine told me that I am much more likely to be accepted if I apply early.</p>

<p>Ideally, I want to go to the Bienen School of Music to study Music Technology (probably Bachelor of Music). The problem is, I only started playing piano ~18 months ago, and I don't have any material ready right now to audition with. I am extremely confused about the early decision policy regarding the music school. It says that auditions must be completed by November 20th, but that the off-campus auditions are held in January. How is this possible?</p>

<p>I really REALLY want to go to the School of Music. Should I apply early to another school within Northwestern and then transfer to the music school later on? Should I wait and apply regular decision to the music school? I read in a few places that the acceptance rate for early decision at NU is about 44%, which is almost double the overall acceptance rate.</p>

<p>If I apply to another school (arts and sciences, communications, who knows), will it be hard for me to transfer?</p>

<p>Also, I'm not even sure if I will be able to get in, here are my stats:</p>

<p>Overall UW GPA = ~90, but junior year it is ~91. </p>

<p>I am in all honors and AP classes (AP Physics, AP US History, honors english, high honors math (precalc / AB calc)</p>

<p>This year, I am in four AP classes: chemistry, euro history, literature, and BC calc</p>

<p>So although my GPA isn't jawdropping, I am definitely taking an extremely rigorous course.</p>

<p>I got a 35 overall on the ACT, 800 on both math SAT II's, 750 physics, 700 chem.</p>

<p>So basically, I want to get in to the music school whatever way possible.</p>

<p>Please help me out, I have two weeks and I need to know what direction to take!</p>

<p>thanks so much</p>

<p>P.S. -> my school doesn't rank students, but I would definitely be way up there in the top. The class is only ~160, but I think I would be top 10ish. Also, my school doesn't do a 4 point GPA, rather they average your grades (that are out of 100), giving more credit-hours to the classes that I have more times per week. It is unweighted, but it's out of 100. According to this website - <a href="http://faculty.cascadia.edu/dwhittaker/percent2gpa.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://faculty.cascadia.edu/dwhittaker/percent2gpa.htm&lt;/a> - my GPA is a 3.5, but I have no clue whether that's even right. Do I really have a 3.5, and if so, is this good enough with strong standardized test scores and pretty good extra curriculars?</p>

<p>My son is considering applying to the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern as a viola performance major. Can anyone tell me about their experience with Roland Vamos? I am a bit concerned that Mr. Vamos might retire soon? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>I’m bumping this thread because I’m curious too!</p>